A BLET member since 1997, Hagan has more than 44 years of railroad experience. Most recently, he served as a state representative of Ohio District 58, BLET officials said in a press release.

He was first elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in 1986, representing the 53rd Ohio House District based in Youngstown. Over the next 28 years, he served in the Ohio House and the Ohio State Senate. Both his wife and his father have served in the state Legislature.

Hagan will begin his new duties July 13.

"All BLET members will benefit from his presence on Capitol Hill thanks in large part to his railroad experience of more than 40 years and his 28-plus years in the political arena," said BLET National President Dennis Pierce.